Forums

This forum is not active, and new posts may not be made in it.

Myrna 6311 16559 Waynes...	RE: Great announcement for Native Americans 2/18/2011 2:36:45 PM

	LOVE IS THE ANSWER
	+0

Phillip 7317 5931 Thomas...	RE: Great announcement for Native Americans 2/20/2011 8:18:07 PM
	Hi Myrna, I"ve been away far too long, so I thought I would drop by and leave you a Smile. Where Did The US Go Wrong? The old Sioux chief sat in his reservation hut, smoking the ceremonial pipe, eyeing the two US government officials sent to interview him. "Chief Two Eagles," one official began, "you have observed the white man for many generations, you have seen his wars and his products, you have seen all his progress, and all his problems." The chief nodded. The official continued, "Considering recent events in New York, in your opinion, where has the white man gone wrong?" The chief stared at the government officials and continued smoking his pipe for over a minute, and then calmly replied: "When white man found this land, Indians were running it. No taxes. No debt. No house payments. No Daycare. Plenty buffalo. Women did all the cooking. Medicine man free. Indian men hunted and fished all the time." The chief smiled, and added quietly, "White man dumb enough to think he could improve a system like that. Have A Happy Sunday My Friend, Phil
	“There may be trouble all around, but I am calling you to a place of peace. Be still and know that I am God. Come to Me, and I will give you wisdom, strength, and grace for everything you face." Psalm 46:10
	+0

Myrna 6311 16559 Waynes...	RE: Great announcement for Native Americans 2/21/2011 12:18:19 AM
	Hi Phil, I think too it is time you come by, because I miss you when you stay away so long. You have helped so much with this forum and I thank you. Come back soon.
	LOVE IS THE ANSWER
	+0

Myrna

6311

16559

Waynes...

RE: Great announcement for Native Americans

2/23/2011 6:02:04 PM

I don't know what it is all about, but the last several weeks I have had the Trail of Tears on my mind. Here is a neat article I found, think it meant to be...........

February 23, 2011

Trail of Tears journey: Native American on 850-mile pilgrimage to remind others of America's past

Ron Cooper stopped at Blythes Ferry along his hike on the Trail of Tears. This was a spot where thousands of Native Americans crossed while they were being relocated after the Indian Removal Act of 1830.

Click To View Additional Photos

Ron Cooper stood on the shores of Blythes Ferry Tuesday, looking out over the former passageway and imagining thousands of Cherokee families that had endured horrors in that very spot over 150 years ago.

A member of the Comanche Nation of Oklahoma, Cooper is hiking the 850 miles known as the Trail of Tears, a journey he began this past Monday in Charleston, Tenn.

"I wanted to find a long trail to hike, a trail that had meaning," said Cooper. "That's when I found the Trail of Tears, and it kind of snowballed from there."

The Trail of Tears was the forced relocation and movement of Native Americans from their land in the South. Their displacement was due to the passage of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, the effects of which has been described as an act of genocide upon many Native Americans from the Cherokee, Creek, Seminole and Choctaw nations.

By 1837, 46,000 Native Americans were forced from their homes, and nearly 4,000 Cherokees lost their lives due to disease and starvation.

While one of his reasons for embarking on this pilgrimage is to remind Americans of the atrocities that happened, he also wants to help his fellow Native Americans remember how they have progressed since nearly being wiped out.

"Sure, we still have our problems, but overall, we have redefined ourselves," Cooper writes on his blog.

On a day-to-day basis, he is, in addition, finding reasons to renew his faith in humankind.
Long-distance hikers often remark of people they encounter known as "trail angels." They appear seemingly from nowhere to help out when circumstances are dire, and Cooper came across one his first day.

"I was at my first intersection, and I didn't know where I was," Cooper said. "This old couple came out and said, 'Hey, I saw you in the paper, come on in!' They talked to me and showed me where I was."

Cooper said on Tuesday that the quantity of media requests has slowed him down a bit, but eventually he would like to chart at least 20 miles per day.

His wife, Kristal, stays close by in a truck hauling a trailer, and at the end of his day, she picks him up to camp somewhere for the night.

Since the trail is more of a highway route than trodden path, he has formed another goal: to learn about the history of the towns and cities he passes by. Dayton, of course, is where in the infamous Scopes Trial occurred, a nugget of information Cooper wasn't aware of.

"I'm just trying to get in all the aspects I can," he said.

For updates on Cooper's travels or to partner with him in his mission, visit his website at www.ronhikestrailoftears.com.

Michelle Bower can be contacted at community@rheaheraldnews.com.